Quadrant portion food organizer

ABSTRACT

This invention provides dinnerware, such as plates, bowls and goblets, with slightly beveled dividers, which separates the dinnerware into intervals. The dinnerware provides for two options: one with labels and one without labels. In the labeled option, each interval is labeled. In the unlabeled option, the intervals are not marked. Rather, a pamphlet is provided that indicates the types and amounts of food or drink to be served in each section. The intent is to make it easy for the user to serve the appropriate amount of food or drink each time and, with continued use over time, learn appropriate portion sizes. This is referred to as learning to measure with the eyes, as this allows the user to employ this methodology even when the dinnerware of the present invention is not available.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application may include subject matter related to one or more of the following commonly-owned United States patent applications, each of which was filed on even date herewith and is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/850,687 filed Feb. 21, 2013 and U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/797,699 filed Dec. 13, 2012.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to weight management tools. More specifically, the invention relates to dinnerware that helps users select the correct types and amounts of food.

BACKGROUND

A key to eating less is portion control. Smaller portions contain fewer calories, and eating fewer calories is one of the better ways to get lean. Consequently a number of solutions have been devised to encourage better portion control, including restrictive diets and calorie counting. But interestingly, one of the most helpful approaches has also been one the simplest: use smaller plates.

Plate sizes have been rising in the U.S. over the last 50 years: the average plate in the 1960's was 9 inches. Today it is 12. A study in the journal Appetite found that people clean their plates an astonishing 91% of the time, no matter how much food is offered, even if they are no longer hungry. The National Institutes of Health recommend replacing larger plates with smaller plates to eat less.

The evidence in support of portion controlled plates is strong. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine divided 130 patients with identical diets into two groups: one with conventional plates, and one with portion-controlled plates. Those using the portion-controlled plates lost 94% more weight than those who did not.

In a series of six studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, increasing portion size led to an increase in food and calories ingested. In just one example, increasing the portion size of a pasta entrée by 50% led to a 43% increase in intake, or 211 additional calories.

A study published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that participants eating from large bowls consumed 56% more than those eating from small bowls.

Even the Archives of Internal Medicine has gone on the record, saying that because the number of calories consumed at a meal are a function of the serving size offered, the results of switching plates can be dramatic.

Based on a recent study in Appetite, the data suggest that switching from a 12-inch plate to a 9-inch plate may help reduce caloric intake by up to 48%, or up to 275-350 fewer calories per meal. This calorie cut may translate to roughly 14-18 pounds over 3 months if the plate is used two meals per day.

SUMMARY

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a set of dinnerware that allows the user to select the correct types and amounts of food.

A distinct feature of the plate is the serving area in which the plate has a nine-inch diameter and has a perforated or indented outer plate lip to prevent overfilling of the plate. The peripheral wall of the plate is slightly raised. The plate lip is perforated or indented to prevent food being placed on the outer perimeter of the plate. The nine-inch serving area of the plate is then divided into unequal quadrants by a slight beveled divider, which separates the quadrants. The plate provides for two options: one with food labels and one without food labels. In the label option, each quadrant is labeled and contains words and/or graphic art of the suggested food to be served in the particular quadrant. In the unlabeled plate option, the quadrants are not marked. Rather, a pamphlet is provided that indicates the types and amounts of food to be served in each quadrant section. The intent is to make it easy for the user to dish out the appropriate amount and type of food every time and, with continued use over time, learn appropriate portion sizes. This is referred to as learning to measure with the eyes, as this allows the user to employ this methodology even when the plate of the present invention is not available.

A distinct feature of the bowl is that the inside of the bowl is divided into quadrants. A slightly beveled step-up divider separates each quadrant. Each divider signifies a measurement. The bowl provides for two options: one labeled and one unlabeled. For the labeled option of the bowl, each step, i.e. beveled divider, is labeled starting from the bottom of the bowl. For the unlabeled option of the bowl, nothing is written to indicate the measurements. A pamphlet with a description is provided separately to indicate measurements and uses. The intent is the user may choose to step up and down on portions as desired without having to measure food in a separate cup.

A distinct feature of the goblet is that the inside of the goblet is divided into quadrants. A slightly beveled step-up divider separates each quadrant. Each divider signifies a measurement. Again, nothing is written to indicate the measurements and a pamphlet with a description is provided separately to indicate measurements and uses. The intent is that the user may choose to step up and down on portions as desired without having to measure food or drink in a separate cup. A labeled option of the goblet is also available and follows the labeling methodology of the bowl.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention description below refers to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the plate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the plate of FIG. 1 with labeled quadrants.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a bowl according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bowl of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the bowl of FIG. 4 illustrating bowl depth measurements.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a goblet according to the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 is the side view of the goblet of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the goblet of FIG. 7 illustrating goblet depth measurements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, food plate 100 shows an inner line circumference of the serving area 10 of the plate that is limited to a nine-inch diameter. Slightly raised beveled dividers 20 divide the plate into quadrants. The outer perimeter of the plate 30, also referred to as a plate lip, consists of an indented outer lip 40 and/or perforated surface 50. Indented outer lip 40 and/or perforated surface 50 prevent food from being placed in these areas. The perforated surface may be in forms of holes, slants, unique aesthetic designs or any other form that is most feasible to the type of material used. Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the quadrants are labeled.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, bowl 200 has slightly raised beveled dividers 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, hereinafter referred to as steps, which are placed in measurement intervals. The intervals represent a ½ cup 78, 1 cup 76, 1½ cup 74, and 2 cups 72.

Slightly raised beveled dividers 72, 74, 76, 78, include two options. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the dividers are labeled ½ cup, 1 cup, 1½ cup and 2 cups. In another embodiment, the dividers are not labeled. Rather, a pamphlet providing a description of the dividers is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9 goblet 300 has slightly raised beveled dividers 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, that are placed in measurement intervals. The intervals represent 2 ounces 88, 4 ounces 86, 6 ounces 84 and 8 ounces 82.

Slightly raised beveled dividers 82, 84, 86, 88, include two options. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, the dividers are labeled 8 oz., 6 oz., 4 oz. and 2 oz. that correspond to each indentation. In an alternative embodiment, the dividers are not labeled. Rather, a pamphlet providing a description of each indention and measurement associated with the indentation is provided.

The materials used for the plate, bowl and goblet include, but are not limited to, ceramic, porcelain, glass, plastic, rubber and any other material that may be suitable for the purpose of this invention.

The shape of the plate and bowl may be different from what is depicted in the drawings and may include, but are not be limited to, square, rectangle, oval, round, pyramid and any other shape that is suitable for the intended use of the invention.

The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope if this invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention. 

1. A plate comprising: a serving area; a plurality of dividers, wherein the dividers separate the serving area into a plurality of quadrants.
 2. The plate of claim 1 further comprising an indented outer lip disposed within an outer perimeter of the plate.
 3. The plate of claim 1 further comprising a perforated surface within an outer perimeter of the plate.
 4. The plate of claim 1 wherein the quadrants are uneven in size.
 5. The plate of claim 1 wherein the quadrants are labeled.
 6. A bowl comprising: a serving area; a plurality of dividers, wherein the dividers separate the serving area into a plurality of quadrants.
 7. The bowl of claim 6 wherein the quadrants are evenly divided into measured intervals.
 8. The bowl of claim 6 wherein the quadrants are labeled.
 9. A goblet comprising: a serving area; a plurality of dividers, wherein the dividers separate the serving area into a plurality of quadrants.
 10. The goblet of claim 9 wherein the quadrants are evenly divided into measured intervals.
 11. The goblet of claim 9 wherein the quadrants are labeled. 